Shirley Bassey
Biography
Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for both her powerful operatic voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films 'Goldfinger' (1964); 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) and 'Moonraker' (1979). Born on Bute Street in Butetown (also known as 'Tiger Bay') in the docklands area of Cardiff, she was was the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey, from Nigeria, and Eliza Jane Start, from the north-east of England, but grew up in the adjacent community of Splott. After leaving Splott Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, Bassey found work at the local Curran Steels factory, while singing in public houses and clubs in the evenings and on weekends. In 1953, she signed her first professional contract and went on to work for the impresario Jack Hylton. She recorded her first single in 1956.
Personal Details
Movies (30)
I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story
as Self
2024
60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
as Self (archive footage)
2024
The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
as self
2022
The Sound of 007
as Self (archive footage)
2022
The Art of Dissent
as Self - Subject (archive footage)
2021
St David's Day at the BBC
as Self
2021
David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
as Self
2016
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
as Self - Performer
2014
Everything or Nothing
as Self (archive footage)
2012
The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012
as Self - Performer
2012
Sir Billi
Theme Song Performance (Sound)
2012
…Sings Musicals
as Self (archive footage)
2012
Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2011
…Sings Neil Diamond
as Self (archive footage)
2010
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
as Self
2009
Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
as self
2009
Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
as Self - Performer
2006
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
as Self
2002
An Audience with Des O'Connor
as Self
2001
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
as Self
2000
The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
as Self
2000
La Passione
as Shirley Bassey
1997
The World of James Bond
as Self
1995
An Audience with Shirley Bassey
as Self
1995
Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
as Self
1985
Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady
as Self
1980
Moonraker
Theme Song Performance (Sound)
1979
Beto Nervio contra el poder de las tinieblas
Music (Sound)
1978
Goldfinger
Theme Song Performance (Sound)
1964
The Bing Crosby Show
as Self
1961
TV Shows (20)
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
2007
Parkinson
as Self
1998
Bei Bio
as Self
1983
Summertime Special
1981
An Audience with...
as Self
1978
Auf los geht's los
as Self
1977
Shirley Bassey
as Self
1976
The Muppet Show
as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
as Self
1975
Ein Kessel Buntes
as Self - Musician
1972
Le Grand Échiquier
as Self - Main Guest
1972
Disco
as Self
1971
Man's Struggle for Survival
Songs (Sound)
1970
Wünsch dir was
as Self
1969
Night-Club
as Self
1968
Europarty
as Self
1967
The Danny Kaye Show
as Self
1963
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
as Self - Musical Guest
1963
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-Host
1961
Morecambe & Wise
as Self
1961